Keele shortlisted for prestigious Green Gown Awards
It shows that we have been committed to sustainability at a strategic level, and that we have really turned this into results that can be seen across the whole campus, and in so many diverse ways.
Keele University has been shortlisted for three prestigious Green Gown Awards, which recognise exceptional contributions to sustainability, and innovative approaches to safeguarding the environment.
Keele's three finalist entries are:
1) Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change Category - 'Greening Keele through hearts and minds - making sustainability part of all activity'
2) KeeleSU has reached the final stages in the Social Responsibility Category for the KeeleSU Fashion Show.
3) Professor Patrick Bailey, Dean of Natural Sciences and Pro Vice Chancellor (Environment & Sustainability), has been shortlisted in the Leadership Awards Category.
The continuous improvement submission was co-ordinated by Dr Zoe Robinson, and identifies the huge range of sustainability initiatives across all parts of the University, from Estates to procurement, curriculum to research, student bungalow to allotments. The fantastic KeeleSU Fashion Show was a huge success for the second year running, and shows how one can combine sustainability, charity fund-raising and sustainability all into one event; the submission was coordinated by Fay Harris. Crucial to Keele's sustainable developments has been the commitment of the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Team, for which Professor Pat Bailey has been nominated.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett, said: "I am delighted that Keele has reached the final in not just one, but three categories. I am also struck by the breadth of the three submissions. It shows that we have been committed to sustainability at a strategic level, and that we have really turned this into results that can be seen across the whole campus, and in so many diverse ways. Perhaps especially pleasing is to see the engagement of our students being recognised, as they represent the future generation, whose commitment to our environment is so important."
Jenny Holland, KeeleSU Activities and Representation Coordinator, said: “The Fashion Show was co-ordinated by the KeeleSU Activities team who are dedicated to promoting all aspects of environmental sustainability. The KeeleSU Fashion Show continued our ongoing collaborative work with the University to engage students in sustainability by showcasing sustainable, ethical and ecologically friendly products from across the region.”
Now in their 10th year, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK. All categories are open to any tertiary education establishment – and specific categories are also aimed at student applications and 3rd party applications (companies working with institutions).
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Whitworth Hall in Manchester on 3rd November 2014.